System and method for interacting with social networking in an internet protocol television system

ABSTRACT

In an Internet protocol television network, a set-top box includes a social network interface module and a remote control interface module. The social network interface module receives a first selection of a content item from the remote control interface module, and receives a second selection of a comment from the remote control interface module. The social network interface module also posts the second selection on a social network system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/612,450 filed Nov. 4, 2009, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to an Internet protocoltelevision system, and more particularly relates to Internet content onan Internet protocol television system.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

An Internet protocol television (IPTV) service provider can transmit anIPTV signal to a user of the IPTV system via a central office, a servingarea interface, and a residential gateway. The IPTV service provider canoffer the user a variety of different content and services. For example,the IPTV service provider can supply users with real-time televisionprograms that are typically available for the users to watch only at aspecific date and time. The IPTV service providers can also offer theusers on-demand movies that are available for an extended amount of timeand that are provided to the users upon request of the on-demand movie.The user can also record audio or video content for storage in a digitalformat on the user's set-top box or on a data server on the IPTV system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn toscale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements areexaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporatingteachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respectto the drawings presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an IPTV network;

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate screens depicted on a display device in the IPTVnetwork of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method ofinteracting with a social networking system in the IPTV network of FIG.1; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of ageneral computer system.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will bedescribed with particular reference to the presently preferred exemplaryembodiments. However, it should be understood that this class ofembodiments provides only a few examples of the many advantageous usesof the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in thespecification of the present application do not necessarily delimit anyof the various claimed systems, methods or computer-readable media.Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but notto others.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an IPTV system 100 including a clientfacing (CF) tier 102, an application tier 104, an acquisition tier 106,an operations and management (OM) tier 108, and one or more sets ofclient equipment 110. Client equipment 110 is typically located at thehome or business premises of a subscriber to the IPTV system 100. IPTVsystem 100 includes an access network 192, a private network 194, and apublic network 196. Each tier 102, 104, 106, and 108 is coupled to oneor more of access network 192, private network 194, and public network196. In an embodiment, CF tier 102 is coupled to access network 192 andto private network 194, application tier 104 is coupled to privatenetwork 194 and to public network 196, acquisition tier 106 is coupledto private network 194 and to public network 196, and OM tier 108 iscoupled to public network 196. Client equipment 110 is coupled to accessnetwork 192.

Networks 192, 194 and 196 communicate information between tiers 102,104, 106, and 108, and client equipment 110. Access network 192communicates information between CF tier 102 and client equipment 110.Private network 194 communicates information between CF tier 102 andapplication tier 104, between application tier 104 and acquisition tier106, and between acquisition tier 106 and CF tier 102. Public network196 communicates information between application tier 104 andacquisition tier 106, between acquisition tier 106 and OM tier 108, andbetween OM tier 108 and application tier 104. Information is alsocommunicated directly between CF tier 102 and application tier 104, asdescribed below. The information communicated between tiers 102, 104,106, and 108, and client equipment 110 includes encoded televisionprograms, audio files, data files, commands, procedures, otherinformation, or any combination thereof.

CF tier 102 communicates with multiple sets of client equipment 110 overa wide geographic area, such as a regional area, a metropolitan area, aviewing area, or any other suitable geographic area that is supported byaccess network 192. Client equipment 110 includes a modem 112, a set-topbox 114, a display device 116, and a remote control 118. The set-top box114 includes a digital video recorder (DVR) 120 and a control module125. Modem 112 is coupled to access network 192, and translatesinformation from a form suitable for transmission over access network192 to a form suitable for use by set-top box 114, and vice versa. In anon-limiting example, modem 112 is coupled to access network 192 viafiber-optic cables, a digital subscriber line (DSL), another networkfabric, or any combination thereof.

The information that CF tier 102 communicates to modem 112 is sent toset-top box 114, which processes the information into a form suitablefor display by display device 116 or for recording by DVR 120. Set-topbox 114 receives digitally encoded content from CF tier 102 for displayon display device 116, or for recording by DVR 120. Set-top box 114 canalso receive data from CF tier 102, and render or display the data ondisplay device 116. Further, set-top box 114 can send data to CF tier102. Such data can include service requests, or commands from thesubscriber, received by set-top box 112 via remote control 118. Forexample, control module 125 can include a remote control interfacemodule (not illustrated) for receiving inputs to set-top box 112 fromremote control 118. In this way, the subscriber can request services orinformation or respond to a request for information from IPTV system100. Control module 125 includes instructions that are executable byset-top box 114 to control the data flow between the subscriber and IPTVsystem 100. Control module 125 can include an IPTV software platformsuch as Microsoft™ TV IPTV Edition.

Control module 125 can facilitate data communication between set-top box114 and IPTV system 100. For example, control module 125 can include aprocedure whereby set-top box 114 receives a request to record contenton DVR 120, or sends a status to IPTV system 100 that the content hasbeen recorded. Likewise, control module 125 can include a procedurewhereby the subscriber can interact with IPTV system 100 to receive andexecute a viewing preference that the subscriber has created in IPTVsystem 100. Such preferences can be created via remote control 118, orthrough a subscriber account that is accessible through public network196, such as through a subscriber's personal computer 198. Anon-limiting example of remote control 118 includes a hand-heldcontroller device, a game controller device, a keyboard/mouse device,another control device, or any combination thereof.

CF tier 102 includes a client-facing tier (CFT) switch 130, a dataserver 132, a terminal server 134, and a video-on-demand (VOD) server136. CFT switch 130 manages communication with client equipment 110through access network 192 and with application tier 104 and acquisitiontier 106 through private network 194. CFT switch 130 is coupled to dataserver 132 that stores data transmitted in response to subscriberrequests. CFT switch 130 is also coupled to terminal server 134 thatprovides terminal devices, such as a game application server, or otherdevices with a common connection point to private network 194. CFTswitch 130 is also coupled to VOD server 136.

Application tier 104 includes application tier (APP) switches 140 and141, an application server 142, an operation systems and support/billingsystems and support (OSS/BSS) server 144, a subscriber and system store145, a domain controller 146, and a client gateway 147. APP switches 140and 141 manage communication with CF tier 102 and acquisition tier 106through private network 194. APP switch 141 also manages communicationwith acquisition tier 106 and OM tier 108 through public network 196.APP switch 140 is coupled to APP switch 141. APP switch 140 is alsocoupled to application server 142 and to OSS/BSS gateway 144.Application server 142 provides applications to set-top box 114 througha set-top box application 143, so that set-top box 114 can providefunctions such as recording and displaying content, messaging, andprocessing of IPTV data and VOD material. OSS/BSS gateway 144 includesoperation systems and support (OSS) data, and billing systems andsupport (BSS) data.

APP switch 141 is coupled to domain controller 146 and to subscriber andsystem store 145. Domain controller 146 provides web access, forexample, to subscribers via public network 196. Subscriber and systemstore 145 includes account information that is associated withsubscribers who access IPTV system 100 via private network 194 or publicnetwork 196. Application tier 104 also communicates data directly to CFtier 102 through client gateway 147. In this embodiment, client gateway147 is coupled directly to CFT switch 130.

Client gateway 147 provides subscriber access to private network 194 andtiers coupled thereto. In particular, set-top box 114 accesses IPTVsystem 100 via access network 192 using information received from clientgateway 147. Access network 192 provides security for private network194. Client equipment 110 accesses client gateway 147 via access network192, and client gateway 147 allows client equipment 110 to accessprivate network 194 once client equipment 110 is authenticated orverified. Similarly, client gateway 147 prevents unauthorized clientequipment (not illustrated), such as hacker computers or stolen set-topbox devices, from accessing private network 194 by denying access tothese devices beyond access network 192.

For example, when set-top box device 114 accesses IPTV system 100 viaaccess network 192, client gateway 147 verifies subscriber informationby communicating with subscriber and system store 145 via privatenetwork 194, APP switch 140, and APP switch 141. Further, client gateway147 verifies billing information and status by communicating withOSS/BSS gateway 144 via private network 194 and APP switch 140. OSS/BSSgateway 144 transmits a query across APP switch 140, to APP switch 141,and APP switch 141 communicates the query across public network 196 toan OSS/BSS server 164 (described below). After the client gateway 147confirms subscriber and/or billing information, client gateway 147allows set-top box device 114 access to IPTV system 100 content and VODserver 136 content. If client gateway 147 cannot verify subscriberinformation for set-top box 114, such as when set-top box 114 isconnected to a different twisted pair, or when set-top box 114 isstolen, client gateway 147 denies transmissions to and from set-top boxdevice 114 beyond access network 192.

Domain controller 146 communicates with public network 196 via APPswitch 141. Domain controller 146 includes a web portal that allows asubscriber to access IPTV system 100 using a personal computer 198.Domain controller 146 also communicates with a data network 172 that isconnected to a wireless access point 174. Wireless access point 174communicates with a subscriber's wireless device 176 to provide wirelessaccess to IPTV system 100. A non-limiting example of a wireless device176 includes a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, amobile e-mail device, a portable digital video device, another wirelessdevice, or any combination thereof. Wireless device 176 includes adisplay device 178 for displaying information from IPTV system 100.Display device 178 includes a text display, a picture display, a videodisplay or any combination thereof.

Acquisition tier 106 includes an acquisition tier (AQT) switch 150, alive acquisition server 152, a broadcast service 154, and avideo-on-demand importer server 156. AQT switch 150 managescommunication with CF tier 104 and application tier 104 through privatenetwork 194, and with application tier 104 and OM tier 108 throughpublic network 196. AQT switch 150 is coupled to live acquisition server152, and video-on-demand importer server 156. Live acquisition server152 acquires television content from broadcast service 154. Liveacquisition server 152 sends the television content to AQT switch 150for transmission to CF tier 102 via private network 194. The televisioncontent is further encoded at data server 132, and sent to clientequipment 110 via access network 192. Set-top box 114 receives thetelevision content from modem 112, decodes the television content, andtransmits the information to display device 116 according to commandsfrom remote control device 120.

Additionally, VOD importer server 156 receives content from one or morevideo-on-demand sources that are outside IPTV system 100, such as moviestudios and programmers of non-live content. VOD importer server 156transmits the video-on-demand content to AQT switch 150, and AQT switch150 communicates the material to CFT switch 130 via private network 194.The video-on-demand content is stored on VOD server 136. When asubscriber issues a request for VOD content to set-top box 114 throughremote control 118, the request is transmitted over access network 192to VOD server 136 via CFT switch 130. Upon receiving such a request, VODserver 136 retrieves the requested VOD content and transmits the contentto set-top box or 114 across access network 192 via CFT switch 130.

OM tier 108 includes an OM tier (OMT) switch 160, a TV2 server 162, theOSS/BSS server 164, and a simple network management protocol (SNMP)monitor server 166. OMT switch 160 manages the communication between OMtier 108 and public network 196. OMT switch 160 is coupled to TV2 server162, OSS/BSS server 164, and SNMP monitor server 166 that monitorsnetwork devices. TV2 server 162 receives television content from liveacquisition server 152, or video-on-demand content from VOD importerserver 156 through public network 196. The television andvideo-on-demand content is sent by TV2 server 162 to OMT switch 160 andforwarded to a subscriber of IPTV system 100 who accesses public network196 through personal computer 198.

Set-top box application 143 includes a social network interface module148. Social network interface module 148 provides a personalizedinterface to social network services for subscribers to IPTV system 100.When a subscriber wishes to interact over IPTV system 100 with socialnetwork services, the subscriber interacts with social network interfacemodule 148, for example by tuning set-top box 114 to a social networkchannel. The subscriber is presented with menu selections to enroll withsocial network services, or to interact with social network serviceswith which the subscriber is enrolled. The subscriber can also postcontent on the social network services, and retrieve posted content fromsocial network services. In the illustrated embodiment, social networkinterface module 148 resides in the application tier 104 on theapplication server 142. In another embodiment (not illustrated), set-topbox 114 includes a social network interface module similar to socialnetwork interface module 148 to provide the described functionality ofsocial network interface module 148. Social network services includepublicly available social network sites on the Internet, such asFacebook, Twitter, or other Internet social network sites, socialnetwork sites provided by the operator of IPTV system 100 or otherproprietary social network services, or a combination thereof.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate screens depicted on display device 116 generated byan embodiment of social network interface module 148. In each case,content information can be sent by application server 142 to CF tier102, where data server 132 can format the information into a formsuitable for transmission to set-top box 114 for display on displaydevice 116. In the alternative, application server 142 can format theinformation in a form suitable for transmission to set-top box 114, andsend the information to CFT switch 130 to be forwarded to the set-topbox. The subscriber can interact via remote control 118 with set-top box114 to provide information back to application server 142, and thusperform the actions described below. In each case, the elements depictedon the screens are illustrative of features of social network interfacemodule 148, and are not meant to limit the content that may be displayedon display device 116. For example, the information contained in thescreens may be shown alone, or in combination with other informationsuch as advertisements, other news or weather information, apicture-in-picture display, other content, or a combination thereof.Each of the screens depicted in FIGS. 2-5 can be accessed through one ormore screens (not illustrated), which direct the subscriber to theappropriate screens that enable the subscriber to perform the describedfunctionality.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a social network selection screen200 depicted on display device 116. Social network selection screen 200includes a welcome banner 202, a social network selection banner 204,one or more pre-determined social network selections 205, an exitselection 206, a next selection 208, and a new social network selection210. New social network selection 210 includes a social network siteentry box 212, a username entry box 214, and a password entry box 216.Welcome banner 202 identifies the current screen as the screen withwhich the subscriber interacts to select social network services. Socialnetwork selection banner 204 prompts the subscriber to select from thelist of social network selections 205 and 210. Exit selection 206permits the subscriber to end the interaction with social networkinterface module 148. In the embodiment where interaction with socialnetwork interface module 148 is initiated by selecting a social networkchannel on set-top box 114, exit selection 206 is optional, and thefunctionality of exit selection 206 can be performed by changingchannels on set-top box 114. Next selection 208 permits the subscriberto continue the interaction with social network interface module 148through the following screens, as described below.

In operation, the subscriber selects one or more social networkselections 205 and 210 with which the subscriber wishes to interact byusing up-down, left-right, and select buttons on remote control 118. Forexample, to select the pre-determined social network selections 205labeled “MyBook,” the subscriber can push a down button on remotecontrol 118 twice, scrolling down through social network selections 205until “MyBook” is highlighted, and then push a select button on remotecontrol 120 to select the “MyBook” social network service. In aparticular embodiment, pre-determined social network selections 205 areincluded on social network selection screen 200 based upon socialnetwork services provided by the operator of IPTV system 100 as aservice to subscribers. In another embodiment, upon a particularsubscriber's first interaction with social network interface module 148,no pre-determined social network selections 205 are presented on socialnetwork selection screen 200, and the subscriber enters informationrelated to social network services with which the subscriber is enrolledby selecting new social network selection 210 and filling in therelevant information in social network site entry box 212, usernameentry box 214, and password entry box 216. Then, on subsequentinteraction with social network interface module 148, pre-determinedsocial network selections 205 include the social network servicesentered by the subscriber. In a non-limiting example, site entry box212, username entry box 214, and password entry box 216 can be filled inusing remote control 118 to provide alphanumeric entry, using a keyboard(not illustrated), using another information entry mechanism, or acombination thereof. In another embodiment (not illustrated), site entrybox 212 is implemented as a pull-down menu pre-populated with the sitenames for commonly used social network services.

In a particular embodiment, the subscriber can post content on theselected social network services based upon the programming recorded onDVR 120, or the program currently being viewed on set-top box 114. FIG.3 illustrates an embodiment of a program selection screen 220 depictedon display device 116. Program selection screen 220 includes exitselection 206, next selection 208, a program selection welcome banner222, a program selection banner 224, a current program selection 225,and a recorded program selection 226. Recorded program selection 226includes a programs window 227 with a list of programs currentlyrecorded on DVR 120, and a selection window 228. Program selectionwelcome banner 222 identifies the current screen as the screen withwhich the subscriber interacts to select a program to comment on orretrieve posted comments from social network services. Program selectionbanner 224 prompts the subscriber to select from the list of programselections 225 and 226.

In operation, the subscriber selects one or the other of programselections 225 or 226 with which the subscriber wishes to interact byusing up-down, left-right, and select buttons on remote control 118. Forexample, to select the program currently recorded on DVR 120 labeled“Science: Jupiter,” the subscriber can push a down button on remotecontrol 118 twice, scrolling down through program selections 225 and226, until “Recorded Program” is highlighted, and then push the selectbutton on remote control 120 to select recorded program selection 226.The subscriber can then push the down button on remote control 118 threetimes, scrolling down through the list of programs in programs window227 until selection window 228 highlights “Science: Jupiter,” and thenpush the select button. Upon completing the selection of the program onwhich to comment, the subscriber selects next selection 208 to enter acomment about the selected program.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a comment selection screen 240depicted on display device 116. Comment selection screen 240 includesexit selection 206, a comment selection welcome banner 242, a commentselection banner 244, one or more pre-determined comment selections 245,a custom comment selection 246, and a post comment selection 248. Customcomment selection 246 includes a comment entry box 247. Commentselection welcome banner 242 identifies the current screen as the screenwith which the subscriber interacts to select a comment to make aboutthe program selected on program selection screen 220. Comment selectionbanner 244 prompts the subscriber to select from the list of commentselections 245 and 246.

In operation, the subscriber can select one of pre-determined commentselections 245 to indicate the level of interest the subscriber has inthe selected program. In the illustrated embodiment, pre-determinedcomment selections 245 indicate interest in terms of whether or not thesubscriber would recommend the subject program. In another embodiment(not illustrated), other pre-determined comment selections can indicateinterest in other terms. Thus, in a non-limiting example, pre-determinedcomment selections can indicate interest in terms of degree ofentertainment value, in terms of educational or informational value, interms of length of the selected program, in other terms, or acombination thereof. The subscriber can also elect to enter a customcomment by selecting custom comment selection 246, and then filling incomment entry box 247 with the desired comment. In a non-limitingexample, comment entry box 247 can be filled-in using remote control 118to provide alphanumeric entry, using a keyboard (not illustrated), usinganother information entry mechanism, or a combination thereof. Uponcompleting the selection of the comment, the subscriber selects postselection 248 to post the comment about the selected program on theselected social network service. In a particular embodiment, socialnetwork interface module 148 can add other information to the selectedcomment. In a non-limiting example, social network interface module 148can add text based information, such as the date and time that thesubscriber viewed the selected program, how long the subscriber watched,other similar programs viewed or recorded by the subscriber, other textbased information, or a combination thereof. In another non-limitingexample, social network interface module 148 can add media basedinformation, such as an image or video clip from the selected program, avideo clip from the show, a link to a selected program or to a sign-uppage for the IPTV system 100, other media based information, or acombination thereof.

In another embodiment, the subscriber can retrieve posted content fromthe selected social network services based upon the programming recordedon DVR 120, or the program currently being viewed on set-top box 114.Here, the subscriber selects the program using program selection screen220 as described above. Upon completing the selection of the programabout which to retrieve comments, the subscriber selects next selection208 to enter search criteria and select a social network service fromwhich to retrieve comments. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of acomment search selection screen 260 depicted on display device 116.Comment search selection screen 260 includes exit selection 206, acontent search selection welcome banner 242, a search criteria selectionbanner 264, one or more pre-determined search criteria selections 265, asocial network selection banner 266, one or more social networkselections 267, and a search comment selection 268. Content searchselection welcome banner 262 identifies the current screen as the screenwith which the subscriber interacts to select a search criteria forretrieved comments about the program selected on program selectionscreen 220. Search criteria selection banner 264 prompts the subscriberto select from the list of pre-determined search criteria selections245. Social network selection banner 266 prompts the subscriber toselect from the list of social network selections 267.

In operation, the subscriber can select one of pre-determined searchcriteria selections 265 to indicate a particular search term or criteriaassociated with the selected program on which to search the socialnetwork services to find relevant comments. In the illustratedembodiment, pre-determined search criteria selections 265 include“Title,” “Subject,” and “Cast.” For example, the subscriber can searchfor comments posted on the social network services that relate to theprogram generally by selecting the pre-determined search criteriaselections 265 labeled “Title.” The subscriber can further limit thesearch to one or more of the available social network services byselecting one or more of social network selections 267. Upon completingthe selection of the search criteria and the social network service, thesubscriber selects search selection 268 to retrieve comments about theselected program on the selected social network services. In response, asocial network comment screen (not illustrated) provides the commentsfrom the selected social network services that meet the selected searchcriteria.

In another embodiment (not illustrated), other pre-determined searchcriteria selections can provide search options in other terms. Thus, ina non-limiting example, pre-determined search criteria selections canprovide for searches in terms of the date the program was produced, theproducer or director of the program, the crew associated with theproduction of the program, other search criteria, or a combinationthereof. In another embodiment (not illustrated), one or more of thepre-determined search criteria selections include a search criteriaentry box that provides a menu of options or a text based entry for theassociated search criteria. For example, a cast search criteria mayinclude a pull-down menu that has a list of the cast members of theselected program, or may provide for the subscriber to enter a name of acast member. In yet another embodiment (not illustrated), a searchcriteria selection is included whereby the subscriber can enter a customsearch criteria.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method ofinteracting with social networking in an IPTV system. The method startsin block 602 where an input is received to select either an existingsocial network system, or a new social network system. For example, asubscriber can use a remote control to manipulate the image on a displayscreen to select a pre-determined social network system or to enter anew social network system. A decision is made as to whether an existingsocial network system was selected in decision block 604. If so, the“YES” branch of decision block 604 is taken and an existing socialnetwork system is selected in block 606. If not, the “NO” branch ofdecision block 604 is taken and user information is entered in block608. For example, the subscriber can select one or more of thepre-determined social network systems, or can enter the subscribersaccount information to gain access to a new social network system. Aftereither an existing social network system is selected in block 606, oruser information is entered in block 608, an input is received to selectto program on which to comment in block 610. For example, the subscribercan select a recorded program, or the program currently being viewed.

An input is received to select either a pre-determined comment, or toenter a new comment in block 612. For example, the subscriber can selectfrom a list of pre-determined comments related to whether or not thesubscriber recommends the selected program based upon a pre-determinedlist of comments, or the subscriber can select to enter their owncomment. A decision is made as to whether the pre-determined commentselection was selected in decision block 614. If so, the “YES” branch ofdecision block 614 is taken and a pre-determined comment is selected inblock 616. If not, the “NO” branch of decision block 614 is taken and auser comment is entered in block 618. After either a pre-determinedcomment is selected in block 616, or a user comment is entered in block618, the comment is posted to the selected social network system inblock 620.

A decision is made as to whether or not to receive posted comments aboutthe selected program in block 622. Is not, the “NO” branch of decisionblock 622 is taken, and processing ends at block 628. If so, the “YES”branch of decision block 622 is taken and an input is received to selecta search criteria in block 624. For example, a subscriber can choose toreceive posts from the selected social network system that relate to thecast of the selected program. The posts that match the search criteriaare received and displayed in block 626, and processing ends in block628.

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system 700in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.Computer system 700 includes a set of instructions that can be executedto cause computer system 700 to perform any one or more of the methodsor computer based functions disclosed herein. Computer system 700 canoperate as a standalone device or can be connected via a network toother computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, computer system 700 operates in the capacityof a server or as a client computer in a server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment. Computer system 700 can also beimplemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personalcomputer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-linetelephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, aprinter, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a networkrouter, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing aset of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to betaken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, computer system 700is implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video ordata communication. Further, while computer system 700 is illustrated asa single system, the term “system” shall also be taken to include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions.

Computer system 700 includes a processor 702 such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both.Moreover, computer system 700 includes a main memory 704 and a staticmemory 706 that communicate with each other via a bus 708. Computersystem 700 further includes a video display unit 710, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flatpanel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).Additionally, computer system 700 includes an input device 712, such asa keyboard, and a cursor control device 714, such as a mouse. Computersystem 700 also includes a disk drive unit 716, a signal generationdevice 718, such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interfacedevice 720.

In a particular embodiment, disk drive unit 716 includes acomputer-readable medium 722 in which one or more sets of instructions724 are embedded. Instructions 724 embody one or more of the methods orlogic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, instructions 724reside completely, or at least partially, within main memory 704, staticmemory 706, and/or within processor 702 during execution by computersystem 700. Main memory 704 and processor 702 also includecomputer-readable media. Network interface device 720 providesconnectivity to a network 726 such as a wide area network (WAN), a localarea network (LAN), or other network. The present disclosurecontemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions 724or receives and executes instructions 724 responsive to a propagatedsignal, so that a device connected to network 726 can communicate voice,video or data over network 726. Further, instructions 724 can betransmitted or received by network 726 via network interface device 720.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations such asapplication specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can be constructed to implement one or more ofthe methods described herein. Applications that include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments describedherein can implement functions using two or more specific interconnectedhardware modules or devices with related control and data signals thatcan be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions ofan application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the presentsystem encompasses software, firmware, or hardware implementations, or acombination thereof.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein can be implemented by software code executableby a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment,implementations can include distributed processing, component/objectdistributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtualcomputer system processing can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods or functionality as described herein.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives can be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions can be stored.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments can be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments can be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changescan be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be usedto interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition,in the foregoing Detailed Description of the Drawings, various featuresmay be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may bedirected to less than all of the features of any of the disclosedembodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into theDetailed Description of the Drawings, with each claim standing on itsown as defining separately claimed subject matter.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the present disclosed subject matter. Thus, tothe maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosedsubject matter is to be determined by the broadest permissibleinterpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shallnot be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A set-top box, comprising: a memory to storecomputer instructions; a social network interface controller; and aremote control interface controller coupled with the memory and thesocial network interface controller, wherein the social networkinterface controller responsive to executing the computer instructionsperforms operations comprising: receiving a first selection of apredetermined comment of a plurality of predetermined comments from theremote control interface controller, wherein the plurality ofpredetermined comments relate to a content item being presented by theset-top box and are displayed by equipment of a user; receiving a secondselection of a characteristic of the content item of a plurality ofpredetermined characteristics of the content item, wherein the pluralityof predetermined characteristics of the content item are displayed bythe equipment of the user; and presenting limited posts on a displaydevice that is presenting the content item, wherein the limited postsare a subset of a group of posts related to the content item, andwherein the limited posts are selected based on the second selection ofthe characteristic of the content item.
 2. The set-top box of claim 1,wherein the set-top box displays a plurality of content items on thedisplay device, a selected content of the plurality of content itemsresulting in the content item being presented by the set-top box,wherein the limited posts are selected by the social network interfacecontroller from a group of posts based on posting criteria establishedfrom user input at the set-top box including the second selection of thecharacteristic of the content item.
 3. The set-top box of claim 2,wherein the plurality of content items includes a first particularcontent item that is recorded on the set-top box.
 4. The set-top box ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of content items includes a secondparticular content item that is being displayed by the equipment of theuser concurrently with receiving the first selection of thepredetermined comment.
 5. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the socialnetwork interface controller further receives a third selection of asocial network system upon which the first selection of thepredetermined comment is posted, wherein interaction with the socialnetwork system is initiated based on a selection of a channelcorresponding to the social network system, wherein the interactioncontinues via windows presented on the display device after selection ofa different channel, and wherein the interaction is ceased based on aselection of ending the interaction established from user input at theset-top box.
 6. The set-top box of claim 5, wherein the third selectionincludes enrollment information associated with the user of the set-topbox.
 7. A method comprising: receiving, by a social network interfacemodule, a selection of a content item, wherein the content item isreceived by a set-top box of an Internet protocol television system;receiving, by the social network interface module, a selection of apredetermined comment of a plurality of predetermined comments from theset-top box, wherein the plurality of predetermined comments aredisplayed by equipment of a user, and wherein the predetermined commentis about the content item, and is selected based on user input at theset-top box; receiving, by the social network interface module, aselection of a characteristic of the content item from a plurality ofcharacteristics of the content item, wherein the plurality ofcharacteristics of the content item are displayed by the equipment ofthe user; and presenting, by the social network interface module,limited posts regarding the content item on a display device, whereinthe limited posts are originated by other computing devices incommunication with a social network system, wherein the limited postsare a subset of a group of posts on the social network system, andwherein the limited posts are related to the selection of thecharacteristic of the content item.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising, before posting the predetermined comment, receiving by thesocial network interface module a selection of the social network systemfrom among a plurality of social network systems, wherein the selectionis received by the equipment of the user.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the receiving of the selection of the social network systemfurther comprises receiving enrollment information associated with theuser.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein interaction with the socialnetwork system is initiated based on a selection of a channelcorresponding to the social network system, wherein the content item isselected from among a plurality of content items, wherein theinteraction continues after selection of a different channel via windowspresented at a display device.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein theplurality of content items includes a first particular content item thatis recorded on the set-top box.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein theplurality of content items includes a second particular content itemthat is being displayed by the equipment of the user concurrently withthe selection of the predetermined comment.
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising: receiving, by the social network interface module, aselection of a search criteria associated with the second particularcontent item; receiving, by the social network interface module, a postfrom the social network system based upon the search criteria; andsending, by the social network interface module, the post to the set-topbox.
 14. Machine-executable code embedded within a non-transitorytangible medium and including executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processor, cause the processor to perform operationscomprising: receiving at a social network interface module a selectionof a predetermined comment of a plurality of predetermined comments froma set-top box, wherein the plurality of predetermined comments aredisplayed by equipment of a user, and wherein the predetermined commentis about a content item received by a set-top box in an Internetprotocol television system, and is selected by a user of the set-topbox; receiving a selection of a characteristic of the content item of aplurality of predetermined characteristics of the content item, whereinthe plurality of predetermined characteristics of the content item aredisplayed by the equipment of the user; and presenting a limited numberof posts regarding the content item on a display device, wherein thelimited number of posts are originated by other computing devices incommunication with a social network system, and wherein the limitednumber of posts are a subset of a group of posts related to the contentitem that are provided to the social network system, wherein the subsetis selected based on the selection of the characteristic of the contentitem.
 15. The machine-executable code embedded within the non-transitorytangible medium of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise,before posting the predetermined comment, receiving at the socialnetwork interface module a selection of the social network system fromamong a plurality of social network systems, wherein the selection isreceived by the equipment of the user, wherein the characteristiccomprises a cast of the content item.
 16. The machine-executable codeembedded within the non-transitory tangible medium of claim 15, wherein,the operations further comprise: receiving at the social networkinterface module a selection of the social network system; and receivingenrollment information associated with the user.
 17. Themachine-executable code embedded within the non-transitory tangiblemedium of claim 16, wherein the content item is selected from among aplurality of content items, wherein interaction with the social networksystem is initiated based on a selection of a channel corresponding tothe social network system, wherein the interaction continues afterselection of a different channel, and wherein the interaction is ceasedbased on a selection of ending the interaction established from userinput at the set-top box.
 18. The machine-executable code embeddedwithin the non-transitory tangible medium of claim 17, wherein theplurality of content items includes a first particular contentment itemthat is recorded on the set-top box.
 19. The machine-executable codeembedded within the non-transitory tangible medium of claim 18, whereinthe plurality of content items includes a second particular content itemthat is being displayed by the equipment of the user concurrently withthe selection of the predetermined comment.
 20. The machine-executablecode embedded within the non-transitory tangible medium of claim 19,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving at the social networkinterface module a selection of a search criteria associated with thesecond particular content item; receiving at the social networkinterface module a post from the social network system based upon thesearch criteria; and sending the post to the set-top box.